History Main / ProjectileSpell

* ''Film/LilAbner'': Evil Eye Fleagle attempts to put a whammy on Lil' Abner, but Earthquake McGoon reflects it with a silver platter, and it strikes Gen. Bullmoose, forcing him to confess his evil plot.

* In ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' Rin has her "Gandr" spell. It was originally a curse to give someone the flu, but Rin powered it up so it's more like a gun being fired. It makes gunshot holes in the walls. It even ''sounds'' like a gun. Rin's rival Luvia show's off a variant in the spin-off ''LightNovel/LordElMelloiIICaseFiles'', firing multi-coloured bursts of projectiles that is more akin to a [[MoreDakka machine gun]].

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'':
** The Magical Rod in the first game allows Link to shoot projectile beams ahead of himself. The elemental rods in the later games tend to work in the same way, shooting {{Fireballs}}, icy spheres, ball lightning and the like.

* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'': SCP-219 was taught rudimentary (read:fake) spellcasting to mentally limit her RealityWarper abilities. Unfortunately, this also makes her believe she's the strongest witch ever. Then she casts magic missile. The blast could be seen from a helicopter.

One of the many ways FunctionalMagic varies between settings is what range spells can be cast from, or how exactly they find a target. In some stories, the WickedWitch may simply be able invoke a spell's name (or point her finger) and -- poof! -- somebody's been [[BalefulPolymorph turned into]] a [[BewitchedAmphibians frog]]. (There may be other rules involved -- maybe she needs [[NoEyeInMagic direct eye contact]], or to be within easy speaking distance for it to work. But that's not what this trope is about.)

* ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'': At least some offensive abilities function in this manner. [[BalefulPolymorph Trent]] in particular encounters problems relating to aim, exacerbated by the fact that [[spoiler:in the first book he fights a character whose AntiMagic forces him to miss, to the point of accidentally polymorphing ''bacteria in the air'' into other things.]]

%%* ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'': The [[PlayingWithFire Dragon]], [[EyeBeams Pig]], and [[BalefulPolymorph Monkey]] Talismans function like this.%%Like what?

* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'' classifies some spells as "magic missiles", like [[PlayingWithFire Fire Ball]] and [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Bolt]]. These require line of sight to their target and, depending on the edition and the particular spell, might need to be aimed like missile fire, strike a random part of the target's body like a physical attack, or be dodgeable.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} 2'': The fairy godmother's spell, which King Harold reflects with his metal armor at the godmother herself.

* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic VI - VIII'': the grand majority of spells works this way, with few exceptions such as Paralyze, Mass Distortion or Implosion. While they track current position of the target, they don't track them further, meaning they can easily miss if one is using real-time mode. The spells offer wide variety of projectiles (standard, explode upon impact, stay around for a certain time or until something hits them ...) and their trajectories (linear, parabolic, spread in cone in front of party ...).

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} 2'': The fairy godmother's spell, which is reflected to hit King Harold and the godmother herself.

[[quoteright:350:[[WebComic/SluggyFreelance https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/projectilespell.png]]]]

* ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' There is also the Exarmatio type spells, a magical attack for [[BlastingItOutOfTheirHands disarming]] and [[ClothingDamage disrobing]] a target that, as shown by Yue during the contest in the Ariadne WizardingSchool, can be deflected or focused into a tight, piercing beam.

* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'':

[[folder:Web Comics]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/projectilespell.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[WebComic/SluggyFreelance No defense except dodging!]]]]

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* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Magic tends to work like this beyond even the degree to which they do in base ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''; besides spells like Magic Missile that canonically fire magic projectiles at a target, almost all ranged magic takes the form of a beam projected from caster to target and causing varying effects at destination.

** In the Magic Missile spell, a magical force of energy darts out from the user and strikes the target. Note that prior to 4th edition, Magic Missiles don't do that much damage compared to other attack spells, but they are [[AlwaysAccurateAttack guaranteed to hit the target]] [[NoSavingThrow with no exceptions]], even if the magic missile has to pass through solid obstructions to actually reach its destination. While it can't be dodged, there are still special circumstances (like a Shield spell, or Spell Resistance) that can negate its effect after it hits. 4th edition Magic Missiles were handled more like regular ranged attacks, with a chance to simply ''miss'' the target. (Note that if the target successfully dodges it, the spell will not continue to fly onwards and strike something else). They eventually errata'd it back more toward its original incarnation. And 5th edition made them almost identical to the 3E version.
** Any spell that follows a "ray" or "line of effect" will fly out and hit the first thing it comes into contact with (target or otherwise). Characters from the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' setting frequently call wizards "spell''hurlers''" for a reason. While ray spells (and other "ranged touch attacks", as called in 3rd edition) can miss (although armors are useless against them), unlike "targeted" spells they have the advantage that you don't necessarily need to ''see'' the target -- you can fire them in darkness, through smoke, or at an invisible target, as long as you have an idea where the opponent is, and still have a chance to hit.

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[[folder:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]
%%* Kido, in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' is another example of this.
* In ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' Rin has her "Gandr" spell. It was originally a curse to give someone the flu, but Rin powered it up so it's more like a gun being fired. It makes gunshot holes in the walls. It even ''sounds'' like a gun.
** Rin's rival Luvia show's off a variant in the spin-off ''LightNovel/LordElMelloiIICaseFiles'', firing multi-coloured bursts of projectiles that is more akin to a [[MoreDakka machine gun]].
* The majority of offensive spells in ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' are like this, even status dealing spells like Hayate's Misteltein, which has a [[TakenForGranite Petrify]] effect delivered through lances of magical energy.

[[folder:Fan Fiction]]

* Magic in FanFic/DungeonKeeperAmi works on somewhat similar principles. Most of the time. Keepers can sense everything within their domain, effectively 'seeing' it. Outside their dungeon, they have to scry to 'see' the target. Except in the case of dark temples/light temples, which require actual line-of-sight from either a keeper or one of their minions. Most spells can be dodged.

[[folder: {{Film}}]]
* In the film of Lil' Abner, Evil Eye Fleagle attempts to put a whammy on Lil' Abner, but Earthquake McGoon reflects it with a silver platter, and it strikes Gen. Bullmoose, forcing him to confess his evil plot.

* Most spells in ''Literature/HarryPotter'' work like this. Even ''[[OneHitKill Avada Kedavra]]'', the most feared spell in the Wizarding World, a Killing Curse that cannot be resisted and bypasses all magical defenses, is still useless if the victim takes cover in time or uses telekinesis to get a solid object into the way.
* At least some offensive abilities (in application, not reader reaction) in the ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'' series function in this manner. [[BalefulPolymorph Trent]] in particular encounters problems relating to aim, exacerbated by the fact that [[spoiler:in the first book he fights a character whose AntiMagic forces him to miss, to the point of accidentally polymorphing ''bacteria in the air'' into other things.]]
* Perhaps lacking imagination, nearly every wizard in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' has some version of this, but you can always tell the badass ones by how effectively or inventively they use their magic. Harry, for example, casts big fireballs and beams, which shows both his significant strength in magic and his lack of fine control. Luccio, commander of the Wardens, uses a needle-thin beam of fire like a laser cutter, showing both power ''and'' control. Warden Ramirez uses small bolts of water and earth magic in his duels, showing control and smarts that make his shallower well of power go further, etc.
** When a squad of Wardens lead by Senior White Council members go to town, there are so many variations of these that it apparently looks like a shot from ''Star Wars''.

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* In ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' some spells work like this, while others can be done from across the world. In an early episode Amy's witch mother shot a glowing pink blast at her. True to the trope, Buffy deflected it back with a mirror, and she disappeared. The end of the episode revealed the spell was designed to trap someone inside her own old cheerleading trophy.
** Magic tended to be nearly instantaneous (or involve manipulation of nearby objects) on Buffy, but this was used again in the season 6 finale. When [[spoiler: Dark!Willow]] is fighting Giles, she creates a fireball that will seek out her earlier targets and "bury them". Buffy is able to follow the rather slow projectile and save them, but that was entirely the point: she wanted to get rid of Buffy, and didn't actually care if they lived or died by that point.
* Witches in ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' use this trope, among others.

* The Huckster in ''TabletopGame/{{Deadlands}}'' has Soul Blast as the go-to attack. Its damage is determined by how strong a poker hand you draw; draw a DeadMansHand and [[OneHitKill the target dies instantly]].
* From ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'':
** Formerly named after the "Magic Missile" spell, wherein a magical force of energy darts out from the user and subsequently strikes the target. Note that prior to 4th edition, Magic Missiles don't do that much damage compared to other attack spells, but they are [[AlwaysAccurateAttack guaranteed to hit the target]] ([[NoSavingThrow no exceptions]]), even if the magic missile has to pass through solid obstructions to actually reach it. And while it can't be dodged, there are still special circumstances (like a Shield spell, or Spell Resistance) that can negate its effect after it hits. 4th edition Magic Missiles were handled more like regular ranged attacks, with a chance to simply ''miss'' the target. (Note that if the target successfully dodges it, the spell will not continue to fly onwards and strike something else). They eventually errata'd it back more toward its original incarnation. And 5th edition made them almost identical to the 3E version.

* Subverted in ''TabletopGame/{{Eon}}''. With the way Mundana's FunctionalMagic works, all of reality is actaully made up of a mesh of magical fields and filaments, and a mage is someone who has, through studying the science behind this mesh, learned how to weave its filaments to suit the mage's purposes. What this means in practice is that though that thing hurling towards you may ''look'' like a fireball, it's actually the mesh of reality between the spell caster and you being woven into [[{{Whatevermancy}} pyrotropic]] filaments. Ergo, it's not a fireball at all, it's ''a fuse'' counting down the moments until the part of reality's mesh that ''you'' occupy turns into fire. Though there are methods of defending oneself against magic, any attempts at simply dodging, ducking behind covers or trying to block a "fireball" with a regular shield are explicitly ''not'' going to work.
* From ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'', the Dragonbloods have Elemental Bolt Attack. It's fairly basic, but [[AllYourPowersCombined when used in a group]], it gets proportionally more effective.
* 3d Edition ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' ranged curses work like this (the caster specifically needs the Curse Missile spell to make them ranged).
** For that matter, ''[=GURPS=]'' has "projectile spells" as their own little subcategory that operate differently from "normal" ones -- regular spells don't need a projectile effect but run up range penalties to the ''casting'' roll quickly enough to make success rather dicey over even fairly modest distances beyond touch, while a projectile spell needs to be first cast and then thrown but the magical projectile then has a better effective range. Curse Missile is specifically such a spell that can be "loaded" with one of several "regular" curse spells, but others (like the obvious fireballs) exist.
* By default, spells in ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'' affect the target's [[{{Magibabble}} Pattern]], which means that as long as the target is within range (which could be anything from "touch" to "anywhere in the world"), it's going to be affected. However, mages always have the option of turning harmful spells into semi-physical projectiles. This can ignore the target's magic resistance, but obviously gives it a chance to avoid the spell if it's quick enough or has cover.
* While it's not exclusively magic, the power system of ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' distinguishes between three ranges (four really, but the fourth is not germane to the topic). Touch is melee range, must be within adjacent squares, possibly further for a longer reach. Ranged has a maximum range and range increment penalties. Perception hits anything you can see. The first two require attack rolls. The last auto-hits. Most attacks are done as Ranged because it's cheaper, it fits in with comic book conventions where you can dodge just about anything, and mechanically it can have higher damage.

* [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Magikoopas]] tend to throw around magical geometric figures at Mario. In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'', if they miss you, they might hit a block instead, turning it into an enemy or a coin. In fact, getting these shots to hit blocks is integral to your progress in some places.
** Also in Franchise/SuperMarioBros, the wands used by the Koopalings in Super Mario Bros 3 and New Super Mario Bros Wii (apparently at least for the latter). The Magic Wand type item in the original VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda game too.
* Xavier's spells in ''VideoGame/EternalChampions'' are projectiles that can be dodged.
* Magic Arrow in ''VideoGame/CastleOfTheWinds''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'': The [[BulletHell danmaku]] in Gensokyo is largely composed of "nonlethal" magic missiles (nonlethal in the sense that they weren't originally designed to kill people). A few exceptions exist, like Reimu's yin-yang orbs, ofuda, and talismans, as well as Sakuya's and Yumeko's ''knives'' (although Yumeko's are said to be ''SWORDS''.)
** More literal example: You can play with Marisa Kirisame in Perfect Cherry Blossom with two sets of signs; her A mode unfocused danmaku is aptly named Magic Missile.
* If the ''Reflect'' spell is anything to go by, all single-target spells in most titles of ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' actually take the form of magic missiles, even if they aren't graphically represented as such.
** However, they are in large part shown as classic, very dodgeable magic missiles in both ''VideoGame/{{Dissidia|Final Fantasy}}'' and the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series. There are some spells that spawn directly over the target, like Bind, but even they can be dodged with sufficient reflexes.
** ''{{VideoGame/Final Fantasy XIII}}'' and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2 its]] [[VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII sequels]] show basic black magic spells as projectiles (including the Fire, Blizzard, and Aero families. The Thunder spells are difficult to say.)
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0'' takes the idea of "Magic Missiles" literally in how offensive magic functions, both in gameplay and lore. Outside of character-unique abilities that are also magical in nature, attack spells are divided not only into different elements of FireIceLightning, but also the manner in which they are cast: RF spells fire a single projectile like a rifle, SHG fires over a wide range like a shotgun, ROK fires a powerful explosive projectile like a rocket launcher, MIS fires a guided projectile akin to a homing missile, and BOM creates an explosion around the caster like a bomb.
* ''{{VideoGame/Dota 2}}'', ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', ''{{VideoGame/Smite}}'' and similar MOBA games term these abilities "skillshots". Most, such as Pudge's hook are linear. Some, such as Diana's crescent strike have unorthodox patterns. Most can travel through walls.
** In ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'', "targeted" spells can also fire a projectile. While the player simply has to click on their target, the PlayerCharacter will fire a magical bolt/[[BadassNormal throw a spear]] which will fly towards the target and [[AlwaysAccurateAttack never miss]]. There's an important distinction here: skillshots can be dodged, targeted abilities will always home on you even if you use Flash or a dash ability to escape. Of course, abilities like Zhonya's Hourglass or an InvulnerableAttack can prevent targeted projectiles from having an effect.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series has these throughout. Any spell which doesn't target the caster ("On Self") acts in this way. The primary exception are the "On Touch" spells in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', but even these count as a variation since they won't work if you aren't close enough and aren't facing the right direction.
* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': Single-target missile spells such as Death Coil and Storm Bolt will move towards the target and always hit.

* ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=080426 spoofed]] ''Literature/HarryPotter's'' use of this trope during the [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=080305 fourth "Torg Potter" storyline]].
** Gwynn is more of a "demons and [[VoodooDoll dolls]]" type of witch though.
* Naturally, since it's used in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', it's used in ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''.
* In ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}'' this is the easiest and most common attack for a fae to use. Can be dodged. [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive//20070731c0p018.jpg Seen in action here]], together with mana shields and ordinary crossbows.
* Subverted in ''[[http://www.applevalleycomic.com Apple Valley]]'' where one of the few spells main character Arthur can successfully perform is called "Tragic Missile". It functions much in the same way the traditional Magic Missile does, except it doesn't fly in a straight course - it arcs around and targets whatever it would be the most traumatic and drama-inducing for it to strike. Despite it being his only quasi-effective offensive spell, it doesn't get used often (for obvious reasons).

* Most base magic in ''Literature/{{Phaeton}}'' is either bullet like, bomb like or wave like. Of course there are still anywhere and smart magics.
* Wiki/SCPFoundation: SCP-219 was taught rudimentary (read:fake) spellcasting to mentally limit her RealityWarper abilities. Unfortunately, this also makes her believe she's the strongest witch ever. Then she casts magic missile. The blast could be seen from a helicopter.

* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' the [[PlayingWithFire Dragon]], [[EyeBeams Pig]], and [[BalefulPolymorph Monkey]] [[MacGuffin Talismans]] function like this.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}} 2'': The fairy godmother's spell, which was reflected to hit King Harold and the godmother herself.
* The wands of the three Good Fairies in the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon movie ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty''. The best example is when Merryweather is trying to stop Maleficent's raven from warning her of Prince Phillip's escape. She flies after him shooting magical blasts, with the raven dodging all except the last, which petrifies him. On [=YouTube=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gre95XJCcjM starting at 7:20]].
* This applies to at least some unicorn magic in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', with the projectile naturally shot from their horns. The most obvious example is in the episode "Too Many Pinkie Pies", where Twilight Sparkle is trying to turn an apple into an orange and, when she's interrupted by Pinkie Pie, the magic blast hits a different target and affects it instead.

* It's possible to achieve this visual effect with a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_candle_%28firework%29 Roman Candle.]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWAb5NVALw At least one nerd has made this connection, and invoked this trope by name.]]

* Kido, in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' is another example of this.

See also KiManipulation, which are less explicitly magical (and popular among martial artists). May overlap with PainfullySlowProjectile. Contrast InvisibleMeansUndodgeable and HitScan.

** Any spell that follows a "ray" or "line of effect" will fly out and hit the first thing it comes into contact with (target or otherwise). Characters from the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' setting frequently call wizards "spell''hurlers''" for a reason. While ray spells (and other "ranged touch attacks", as called in 3rd edition) can miss (although armors are useless against them), unlike "targeted" spells they have the advantage that you don't necessarily need to ''see'' the cible -- you can fire them in darkness, through smoke, or at an invisible target, as long as you have an idea where the opponent is, and still have a chance to hit.

* The wands of the three Good Fairies in the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon movie ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''. The best example is when Merryweather is trying to stop Maleficent's raven from warning her of Prince Phillip's escape. She flies after him shooting magical blasts, with the raven dodging all except the last, which petrifies him. On [=YouTube=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gre95XJCcjM starting at 7:20]].